Family Business Magazine’s NextGens to Watch Class of 2024 consists of 22 standout rising-generation members who are making a difference in their family enterprises.
COLLIN THOMPSON, 30
Third generation
Country Club Bank, Kansas City, Mo.
Collin Thompson is a member of the third generation of family ownership at Country Club Bank, where he serves as vice president of corporate banking. His grandfather, Kansas City entrepreneur Byron Thompson, acquired majority ownership of the bank in 1985 and was its chairman and CEO until his passing. Collin’s uncle, Paul Thompson, is the bank’s current chairman and CEO, and his father, Mark Thompson, is vice chairman. PJ Thompson, Collin’s cousin, is CFO, and an aunt and several uncles also hold leadership positions in the bank.
“Growing up, I was immersed in a world of banking professionals,” Collin says. “My family is deeply connected to this industry, and my grandfather, a prominent figure in banking, introduced me to this vast network of impressive professionals. I admired him and the other individuals who led community banks.
Aspiring to follow in their footsteps, Collin pursued an accounting degree at the University of Kansas, eventually earning bachelor’s and master’s degrees, as well as his CPA license. Upon graduating, he landed a position at BKD, an accounting firm known for its banking expertise in the Kansas City market.
“I made it clear to my colleagues that my passion was advising banks, and they graciously supported my focus. After building the foundation for a long-term career, I joined our family business — a dream I’d harbored since childhood.
“Today, I continue to honor our family legacy, combining my banking knowledge with the warmth of tradition. As I navigate the intricate world of finance, I deliberately carry forward the values of my grandfather, perpetuating them in my own work and the work of the bank.”
Collin co-chairs Country Club Bank’s Team Impact committee, which administers the bank’s volunteer program and raises funds from the bank’s associates. Those funds are contributed each month to nonprofit organizations that align with the bank’s core values.
“One of Collin’s notable accomplishments is his innovative approach to enhancing entrepreneurial thinking among colleagues and clients,” Paul Thompson says. “He champions a culture of innovation and diverse perspectives, leading to significant growth and transformation within the organization.
“A prime example of this is his development of bespoke alternative lending structures that leverage his expertise in both corporate tax and lending. These structures have been instrumental in funding community projects that might otherwise have remained unrealized. These efforts showcase Collin’s ability to blend tradition with innovation for community benefit as well as keep Country Club Bank nimble in the community banking space.”
“Working in corporate banking, I’ve honed my technical skills, dissecting financial intricacies with precision; yet the relationships I’ve forged with Kansas City’s business owner community drive my passion,” Collin says.
“Our bank isn’t just about transactions; it’s about legacy. Guided by the shared mission of serving both my family and our community, I wake up each day with a sense of purpose. I was built for the job that I’m doing, and I look forward to improving myself, our associates, our clients and the community with every day that passes.”